Please Teach Your Children To Be Kind To Animals

Gemini Grrl (1yr old) with the neighbourhood kitty, Polly.

One of the moral values that definitely makes the list in our house is: 

Be Kind To Animals.

I have always loved animals ever since I was a little girl and we had a lot of pets growing up as well. Cats, rabbits, chickens, more cats, fish, turkeys, doves, turtles, hamsters, and even more cats. Living in a large 2-storey house in Brunei with a backyard, front lawn, artificial pond and fake waterfall, we had a lot of space for our small community of animals. We must have had about 20 cats at one point! My sister and I loved each and every one of them and every day was an opportunity for us to play with our furry/ feathered friends.

Our parents didn't particularly sit us down and specifically tell us to actually be kind to animals - they just were. So as children, we naturally would take our cues from the adults around us. My Mother bought a small rice cooker especially for our pet cats, and when she went to the wet market with my aunts, they would buy back some small fish (like the kind you put in Nasi Lemak), steam it until the bones are soft and then mash it altogether with the rice for all the cats to eat in the backyard. Sometimes, as a treat (or especially for the pregnant cats), they would stir in some egg into the rice as well.

Image credit: One Green Planet

I remember however that my Mother was completely petrified of snakes (and still is actually), so much so that she cannot even see an image of it on TV or even in a magazine. I on the other hand, for some reason have a complete phobia of lizards, especially house lizards. Just typing or saying the word "lizard" is already enough to make my skin crawl and I am actually grimacing right this very minute. I'm not sure what exactly caused this fear to begin with, since no one else in my family is scared of lizards. My sister isn't as scared of them as I am (she despises cockroaches though!), but I hate that I have this unreasonable fear. I know that they are harmless and so much smaller than I am. At least my Mother's dislike for snakes makes a bit of sense because some species are known to bite and can be very dangerous - so it's just a natural human reaction. But tiny little lizards on the other hand are probably more scared of me than I am of them.

However, I do not want my daughter to be scared of lizards, or snakes, or any other animal for that matter. I want her to love all animals and be kind to them. Lizards may gross me out, but I wouldn't want to bash one over the head with a broom (I just want it go far, far away from me! Haha). So when I see one lurking at my front door while I am clumsily fumbling for my keys, trying my hardest to scream in sheer terror, I put on a brave front and acknowledge my daughter's excited remarks of, "Look, Mommy! Up there! A baby lizard! So cute".

Me trying not to get too freaked out by the fake "tukae" (gecko). AARGH!!!!

Every now and then, I let her play with some educational games on the Tab, so would sometimes go through the Apps list to download new games. Once I came across a particular game marketed for little kids and the whole point of the game was to see how many ants you can smash with your fingers before they could eat all the candy! Sure, I am no saint and I do admit I have killed millions and billions of ants, mosquitoes and flies before - but I don't want to teach my daughter to sit there and aim to kill off little ants, be it animated or real, all in the name of "fun". There was also a children's song in one of my daughter's playlist that I have promptly deleted and banned, called "Baby Bumble Bee". Here are part of the sickening lyrics:

"I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me
I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee -
Ouch! It just stung me!

I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee
Won't my Mother be so proud of me?
I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee -
Ew! It's so yucky!".

Why would anyone write such lyrics for a children's song?? And who's Mother would actually be proud of them for killing a baby bumble bee?? Some of you might think I'm overreacting and it's "just a song", but no, I don't like the message it's sending across to my child, so I have the right to keep such horrid stuff away from her.

Being kind to animals is something I feel all parents and teachers should teach to children, because it in turn makes them kind, compassionate and have empathy for other human beings as well. You've probably read countless reports of how some murderers would abuse or kill animals when they were children - most likely because animals are usually more helpless and are easy targets. Cruelty to animals is also one of the symptoms displayed by a future psychopath. If children are taught to be kind and caring towards animals, it will help them to value all lives and also prevent violent behaviour.

As parents, we should set good examples to our children as well and remember that their little eyes are always observing us and their ever attentive ears catch more than we think they do. So try your best not to smash a cockroach to death with such relish; Don't run through a flock of pigeons for no apparent reason except to just chase them off and laugh about it, Refrain from making any negative remarks about any animals, even if you have an unreasonable fear of them. As a Muslim, we are not allowed to eat pork, but that does not mean I will kick a pig if I saw one. We are also advised not to touch dogs (we can actually, and are also allowed to have them as pets, but there are several criterias we need to fulfill - another blog post for another time!), but that does not stop me and my husband from petting them or treating them with kindness as well.

Gemini Grrl's very first word was, "Cat", and she has a love for all animals (although she sometimes has this random fear of ants one day, but then is talking to them and feeding them her cookie crumbs the next day!). She squeals with delight every time she sees any animals on TV or in real life, and is already starting to ask for a pet cat. She enjoys it when I read her storybooks with animal characters. She cuddles all her animal plush toys, lovingly tucks them into bed and patiently nurses them when they apparently have boo-boos.

Someday, when she's a little older, I will let her adopt a pet of her choice, which will also teach her how to be responsible and caring for another life. But for now, we will stick to tea parties with her Panda, feeding stray cats around our neighbourhood, and singing nicer songs about being kind to all animals big and small.

Polly and my Gemini Grrl (1 yr old at the time) strolling side by side ^_^

My Perfect Plan Preparing for Preschool & Primary School

Image source unknown

In 3 months' time, my little Gemini Grrl will no longer be a Toddler, but will technically become a Preschooler. It seemed like only yesterday that I saw the positive sign on my testkit; heard her precious little heartbeat; found out I was having a girl; held her in my arms for the very first time after feeling her grow inside me for 9 months. And pretty soon she's going to be starting "school"? When did that happen?? Ok, so I'm not completely shocked, because I have been planning it carefully ever since she was born (because I am a natural planner - some people might even say I may over plan things, but hey, this is how I am and it makes me happy, so please shut up).

To make the whole transition easier on her (and me!), I have this whole preparation process all planned out, and hopefully it will work out as well as I hope it would.

STEP 1: PLAYDATES

Gemini Grrl (left) with her good buddy (right) at the Jurong Birdpark for a playdate :)

Ever since my daughter was almost a year old, we started bringing her on playdates to introduce her to new friends and just socialise with other children her age. We would go to each other's houses, sometimes let the little ones roam around various kiddy indoor playgrounds together, visit various places of interests, have fun splashing about at pools and water-play areas, or just meet up for lunch and have the little ones sit side by side in their high-chairs to munch on their snacks together. It's lovely to see them gradually learning how to socialise and play with one another, and the older they get, the more the children enjoy each other's company and even start to request to meet up with their friends by name! :)

STEP 2: PARENT ACCOMPANIED PLAYGROUP

Gemini Grrl playing in the sandpit at her weekly playgroup

Shortly after turning 2 years old, I signed us up for a parent accompanied playgroup at an international school near our house, which we still attend once a week. It is open for toddlers aged 15 months - 3 years old, but once you're already in the programme, they are flexible enough to let your child continue for a few more months until they turn 3.5 years old (and then they are no longer eligible for the playgroup). It's a fun little class where there are lots of interesting activity stations set up in a classroom, and parents are encouraged to take part with their children as well. There is also outdoor play time for the kids to stretch their legs while getting some fresh air and sunshine. Then it's back up for snack time as a group, more free play and to end it off, circle time with some upbeat songs (dancing and singing), stories and bubble-blowing. It's great fun and the children are introduced to the concept of a classroom, a having a teacher, other classmates, as well as a class schedule to follow.


STEP 3: DROP-OFF ENRICHMENT CLASS

Gemini Grrl painting a colourful little masterpiece

I'm still trying to find a weekly drop-off class where she can attend for an hour or so to have a little fun while learning something (Dance, Drama, Singing, Gym, etc), and at the same time, get used to me not being around for a short while. However, a lot of such enrichment classes offered here are usually for 4 year olds and up, or the ones in her age range are quite far away from where we live and the commute gives me a headache just thinking about it. So the search continues.

STEP 4: DAILY DROP-OFF PLAYGROUP

Gemini Grrl (right) painting with water on a dry deck, alongside her playgroup classmate (left).

Luckily for me, a new learning centre has just opened up literally at my apartment complex. So I peeked in on their classes and noticed that they also offer an integrated daily drop-off playgroup for toddlers and preschoolers (18 months - 4 years old). Since we are pretty happy with our current weekly parent accompanied playgroup, she'll only be starting this daily drop-off programme next year at the start of their intake for the new term, once she turns 3.5 years old.


STEP 5: KINDERGARTEN

Gemini Grrl paiting with marbles

When she is 4 years old, she will attend Kindergarten at this wonderful little preschool I discovered, not too far away from where we live (it's a very short drive, but no direct buses unfortunately). They have a half-day programme and a full-day programme, but we most likely will sign her up for the full-day programme, as I will be going back to work again fulltime, but the hours are flexible and I can pick her up any time I'm done. I love the preschool I have chosen for her, because they have such wonderful facilities, including an Art Studio (for Arts & Craft activities), Dance Studio (for Dance, Movement and also Drama lessons), Multimedia Room (to play educational computer games), Library (for story time and quiet reading), Mini Kitchen (for cooking lessons), as well as swimming lessons.


STEP 6: PRIMARY SCHOOL (GRADE SCHOOL)

Gemini Grrl's scribble-art (1 yr old)

The year that my daughter turns 7 years old, by law we are required to send her to a Primary School (Grade School). Now, as she is a Citizen (because my husband is a Citizen), she is also required to only join a local school, but not an international school (which is a shame, because I went to international school since Preschool. But oh well, I have faith in the local school system as well). The great thing about our neighbourhood is that there is a Primary School right next door (I can sometimes hear the faint murmurs of their school assembly, right from my living room), so the location is super convenient, plus it is dirt cheap. Seriously, astoundingly cheap, as compared to an international school, which you probably would have to sell your kidneys for.

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As much as I would love to homeschool her (and have even done my research and connected with the local homeschooling community), living in the world's most expensive city means that it is only feasible for both parents to be working. Also, the particular preschool which I have selected is on the higher end of the price range, but for the facilities and activities provided, I feel that it is just the price we have to pay for a quality preschool. Some people argue that young children don't really need to go to preschool, plus they are only required by law to get formal education starting from the year they turn 7. 

But personally, I don't want her very first day at school to be at a proper academic establishment such as Primary School (Grade School), where there are school bells blaring, teachers glaring, textbooks to lug, and homework to be completed. I feel that there are already certain expectations of the students, especially in Singapura's competitive education system. You'd be surprised how many preschools here already start enforcing a rather regimental approach to learning, assign homework and even have pop quizzes in school. 

This may be favoured by some parents, and that is entirely their prerogative, but personally I am definitely into a more play-based approach when it comes to preschool, and like the Montesorri method as well as the Reggio Emilia approach. I may go as far as to say that I do not believe in homework given to Primary School students (but that is another topic for another day).

Well, that is my own little plan for my daughter's preparation to enter Preschool (and eventually Primary School). Ok, it may be far from perfect in some people's eyes, but to me, that's the best route I can think of to make the whole transition as painless and stress-free as possible. Currently, we are still at Step 2, whilst looking around for a suitable place for Step 3, and will only be starting Step 4 at the beginning of next year (2016). 

What do think about my plan? Do you have your own little plan sorted out for your little one? Do share your thoughts with me or feel free to ask me any question in the comments section! :)